A MET Police officer faces the sack after rugby-tackling a Wetherspoon drinker to the ground and battering him over the head with his baton.

PC Jack Wood, 26,was convicted of the assault ofJake Smith, 26, who suffered a gaping gash to his skull and severe bruising during the clash in Romford, Essex.

PC Wood has also been convicted of one count of assault against Smith's friend Scott Rooney, 26, who claims he was grabbed by the throat and thrown to the ground.

He will next be sentenced on 3 June at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Wood's colleague PC Archie Payne, 26, formerly based at Romford Police Station,was convicted of one count of common assault against Mr Rooney and was ordered to pay a total of £1,632 in compensation and court costs.

District Judge Tempia said: "Pc Wood did not use reasonable force in the circumstances and I convict him of actual bodily harm."

The judge said Pc Wood had smashed Mr Smith twice on the head – despite the officer claiming he aimed for the shoulder.

The judge continued: "I find all the civilian witnesses credible.

"It's very clear to me that Mr Rooney was acting reasonably and calmly when he was asking for Pc Wood's number, he had his arms behind his back.

"I also find that Mr Rooney did not have Mr Payne in a headlock.

Looking over at Pc Wood the judge said: "He didn't have to punch Mr Rooney at all as that is one of my findings.

"'I do not believe he used lawful and reasonable force to assist Mr Payne."

Shocking CCTV footage shown to the court captured the moment one of the cops hits Smith over the head and a second grabs Rooney's throat, pushes him to the wall and lies on top of him.

Rooney, a railway engineer, claims he was the victim of an "unprovoked attack" on January 5 last year after trying to take a picture of PC Wood and his officer number.

Smith, 26, suffered two wounds to his head – 1.5cm and 1cm in length – and 6cm of bruising to his chest, the court heard.

Prosecutor Nicola Shannon told the court there had been an argument between Rooney and another pub-goer, prompting two security guards to ask them to leave.

Shannon said they stayed for one more drink but realised the man they had clashed with was lurking outside with a number of others.

The group were stood between the pub and the bus stop that Rooney, who lived locally, wanted to get to.

The pair asked PC Wood and PC Payne, who were outside the pub on patrol, to escort them to the bus stop past the group, the court heard.

Most read in News

"The officers declined to do so, telling the group if he was their friend it's not their responsibility to help, and returned to their patrol duties," Shannon said.

"Mr Rooney was attacked by the group… but shortly after that PC Wood ran into the scene, came behind Mr Smith raised his baton and inflicted between three to four strikes."

"PC Wood appears to go from right to left with the baton held above his head in an overarm motion, bringing it down towards Mr Smith", the prosecutor said.

Source: Read Full Article